Field notes: teaching English in China after graduation

The legal requirements

Teaching English in China on a work basis requires a Z visa and a work permit, and for foreign language teachers the standard requirements are a bachelor's degree or higher, a clean criminal record check, a medical examination, and either a TEFL/TESOL certificate or a degree in education, English or linguistics. Some provinces also apply nationality or native-speaker criteria for the foreign-language teacher category.

Working while on a study residence permit is not permitted beyond the annotated part-time arrangement. Students who teach informally without a permit are at risk; the enforcement is often directed at the employer, but the visa consequence falls on the individual.

The market

After the 2021 restrictions on for-profit tutoring of school-age children, the market shifted substantially towards international schools, universities, vocational colleges, corporate training and online platforms serving adult learners. Interestingly, the number of graduates and the demand for English teachers at universities and international schools has remained solid.

Salaries range from around CNY 12,000 per month at smaller institutions to CNY 25,000–35,000 at international schools and universities in tier-one cities, typically with housing assistance and an annual flight allowance. Chinese work visas for graduates of Chinese universities with a master's degree are easier to obtain than for bachelor's graduates.

Is it a good idea?

As a first job for one or two years it provides income, immersion and time to decide what comes next. As a career it has a ceiling unless you obtain teaching qualifications recognised internationally or move into curriculum design, teacher training or educational management.

The strongest version of this path is at a university or international school with a formal contract, rather than informal tutoring, and with a plan for what you do in year three.